Qadry Rahmadan Ismail (born November 8, 1970), nicknamed "the Missile", is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Syracuse Orange, earning first-team All-American honors in 1991. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round (52nd overall) of the 1993 NFL draft.

Qadry Ismail
No. 82, 83, 86, 87
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1970-11-08) November 8, 1970 (age 53)
Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:196 lb (89 kg)
Career information
High school:Meyers (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania)
College:Syracuse (1989–1992)
NFL draft:1993 / round: 2 / pick: 52
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:353
Receiving yards:5,137
Receiving touchdowns:33
Stats at Pro Football Reference

He also played for the Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens (with which he won Super Bowl XXXV), and the Indianapolis Colts.

Early life

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Qadry Rahmadan Ismail[1] was born on November 8, 1970, in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Ibrahim and Fat'ma Ismail. In 1985, he moved to his grandmother Laura Bauknight's home in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he attended Elmer L. Meyers Junior/Senior High School. There, Ismail and his older brother Raghib were named the inaugural recipients of the Martin Luther King Youth Leadership Award given by the local chapter of the NAACP of Northeast Pennsylvania. In addition to playing high school football, Ismail also ran track.

As a member of the track team, he was ranked the nation's best high school hurdler by Track & Field News in 1988. He finished first at the 110m high hurdles Golden West Invitational. He was also a two time state team champion in track and field. He was a six-time PIAA AA State champion in the 110m high hurdles, 300m intermediate hurdles, and 4x100. He was a two-time PIAA AA silver medalist in the 4x400, as well as a bronze medalist in the 110m high hurdles. He was a four time PIAA District II team champion, and 12 time PIAA District II champion. He also earned two WVC team conference championships.

As a member of the football team, he was a two time All-scholastic selection as a wide receiver and defensive back. He was inducted into the PIAA Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He was named the 1988 Athlete of the Year by The Citizens' Voice and the Times Leader.

College career

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Ismail attended Syracuse University, where he was a member of the football team as well as the track team. Ismail was the first two-sport All-American at Syracuse since Jim Brown in 1957.

As a member of the track team, Ismail was an All-American in the indoor 55m hurdles, as well as the outdoor 110m hurdles. He was also an IC4A 110m hurdle and 55m hurdle champion. Ismail was also the Big East champion in the 110m hurdles, as well as the 55m hurdle and 4x400 relay while also setting Syracuse University's school record in the 55m hurdles and the 4x400 relay.

As a member of the football team, Ismail was an All-American selection as a kick returner in 1991. He was also a first team All-Big East selection as a wide receiver and kickoff returner, and a second team all-Big East selection as wide receiver.

Career statistics

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Year Team GP Receiving Rushing Kick Returns
Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD Ret Yds Avg TD
1989 Syracuse 11 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 33 738 22.4 0
1990 Syracuse 11 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 32 699 21.8 0
1991 Syracuse 11 37 693 18.7 3 12 216 18.0 3 19 475 25.0 1
1992 Syracuse 11 36 625 17.4 2 22 217 9.9 3 21 378 18.0 0
Career[2] 44 73 1,318 18.1 5 34 433 12.7 6 105 2,290 21.8 1

Professional career

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Ismail was selected in the second round (52nd overall) of the 1993 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings, becoming the highest drafted Syracuse player since Moose Johnston.[3][4]

In 1999, he was voted Number 22 on the list of top 100 athletes by the Citizen’s Voice.

In 1999 with the Baltimore Ravens, Ismail led the team with 68 catches, 1,105 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, including career-high 258 yards in one game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. What might have been the high-water mark of Ismail's career and potential crowning moment came on January 28, 2001, when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants 34–7 in Tampa, Florida, in Super Bowl XXXV. Ismail caught a 47-yard reception and earned his first Super Bowl ring.[5]

In 2002, Ismail signed a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts as a #2 wide receiver behind Marvin Harrison.[6]

NFL career statistics

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Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Kick Returns Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Att Yds Avg Lng TD Ret Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
1993 MIN 15 3 19 212 11.2 37 1 3 14 4.7 6 0 42 902 21.5 47 0 1 1
1994 MIN 16 3 45 696 15.5 65 5 0 0 0.0 0 0 35 807 23.1 61 0 2 2
1995 MIN 16 1 32 597 18.7 85 3 1 7 7.0 7 0 42 1,037 24.7 71 0 3 2
1996 MIN 16 2 22 351 16.0 54 3 0 0 0.0 0 0 28 527 18.8 32 0 2 0
1997 MIA 3 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 8 166 20.8 27 0 0 0
1998 NO 10 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 28 590 21.1 39 0 2 1
1999 BAL 16 16 68 1,105 16.3 76 6 1 4 4.0 4 0 4 55 13.8 19 0 2 0
2000 BAL 15 13 49 655 13.4 53 5 0 0 0.0 0 0 2 51 25.5 38 0 0 0
2001 BAL 16 15 74 1,059 14.3 77 7 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
2002 IND 14 14 44 462 10.5 42 3 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 137 68 353 5,137 14.6 85 33 5 25 5.0 7 0 189 4,135 21.9 71 0 13 7

Broadcast career

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After retiring from the NFL, Ismail began a career in broadcasting, spending time with Comcast Sports Net, BET Black College Football, and ESPN before becoming part of the Ravens’ broadcast team.[7] In March 2017, it was announced that Ismail would be a color commentator for the Baltimore Brigade of the Arena Football League.[8]

Personal life

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Ismail is the brother of Raghib "The Rocket" Ismail and Sulaiman "The Bomb" Ismail. He has three children Qalea, Qadry, and Qadir from his marriage to Holly Oslander Ismail. Ismail is a sports performance coach (Missile Training) at the Sports Factory in Bel Air, Maryland. He has worked with hundreds of athletes helping them improve on their fitness and speed.

Ismail served as the head coach of the Patterson Mill High School boys track and field team from 2011 to 2019. His daughter, Qalea, plays basketball at Princeton University.[9] In 2017, his son, Qadry, began playing wide receiver at Mercyhurst University.[10] In December 2017, his son, Qadir, signed to play quarterback at Villanova, before transferring to play at Samford.[11] Qadir is currently a tight end for the Baltimore Ravens.

References

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  1. ^ Jackel, Peter (August 3, 1997). "Packers receiver Ismail again must defend his honor before NFL critics". The Journal Times. Racine, Wisconsin. p. 15. Retrieved June 11, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.  
  2. ^ "Qadry Ismail College Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  3. ^ "1993 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  4. ^ "Syracuse Drafted Players/Alumni". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  5. ^ "Super Bowl XXXV - Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Giants - January 28th, 2001". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  6. ^ Chappell, Mike (February 27, 2002). "Colts release Ismail for cap savings". Indianapolis Star. Indianapolis, Indiana. p. 2. Retrieved June 11, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.  
  7. ^ Parasiliti, Bob (April 14, 2018). "At Ravens Roost, Ismail dishes on why football matters". Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  8. ^ Allen, Scott (March 21, 2017). "Santana Moss will do color commentary for Washington's Arena Football League team". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  9. ^ "2015-2016 W. Basketball Roster Qalea Ismail". GoPrincetonTigers.com. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  10. ^ "Mercyhurst Athletics - Qadry Ismail". HurstAthletics.com. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  11. ^ Rapay, Eugene (December 20, 2017). "Quarterback Qadir Ismail signs Letter of intent". VUHoops.com. Retrieved June 11, 2017.